Device for coupling two storage and/or transport means with a security device

ABSTRACT

A device couples two storage and/or transport units with a security device. By alternately using a single actuating device, the security device and a pivoting device react in such a way that connecting branches of the units which are coupled are placed in a lock position by the security device and are firmly locked with respect to each other such that it is not possible to separate them. Closing valves in the connecting branches insure that the connecting branches are sealed from each other. By subsequently rotating the drive shaft, it is possible to open the closing valves using the pivoting device in order to enable a transfer process to occur. By rotating the drive shaft back, the closing valves are re-closed. Also by rotating the drive shaft, the connecting branches can be separated from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] In an apparatus for coupling two storage and/or transport units,for instance in the forms of vessels, containers, tubes and/or the like,for the purpose of a transfer of a product from a first storage and/ortransport unit to a second storage and/or transport unit, the first unithas a first closing flap in a first pipe socket at a first end and in anactive connection with at least one shaft. The second unit has a secondclosing flap in a second pipe socket at a second end. With a swivellingdevice and a safety device, the closing flaps are movable from a closedposition wherein the first closing flap tightly closes the first storageand/or transport unit off from the atmosphere at the first end. Thesecond closing flap tightly closes the second storage and/or transportunit off from the atmosphere at the second end and the two closing flapsand/or the two pipe sockets are movable relative to one another into alocked position. The two closing flaps and/or the two pipe sockets arefirmly connected to one another. In an open position the closing flapsand/or pipe sockets are firmly connected to one another. At least oneflow-through opening for the product is open from the first storageand/or transport unit into the second storage and/or transport unit, andare movable from the open position into the locked position as well asinto the closed position.

[0002] Such an apparatus is disclosed, for example, by GB Letters Patent888,541. Given the known device, the pipe sockets are rotatable relativeto one another, whereby a bayonet closure is locked or unlocked byturning the pipe sockets relative to one another and, at the same time,the closing flaps are forced from the closed position into the openposition or from the open position into the closed position, so that thelocking position coincides with the open position. Such a lock isparticularly disadvantageous in that the closing flaps canunintentionally detach from one another while changing from the closedposition into the open position or vice versa, also due to theemployment of only one bayonet closure. Moreover a cleaning beforeand/or after a product transfer or a refilling event in the openposition is not possible in a locked position in order to avoidcontamination of the atmosphere and/or the product to be refilled.

[0003] Further, DE 195 20 409 C1 discloses an apparatus for couplingcontainers to a blower and extraction device that enables a cleaning ofthe closing flaps before and/or after a refilling event to beaccomplished with the apparatus. A seal is thereby utilized that, givena spacing of the closing flaps of, preferably, less than 15 mm,disadvantageously seals the space situated between the closing flaps,i.e. the impact chamber, off from the outside, with the exception of theregions of the bearing shells thereof. A sealing of the impact chamberfrom at least a part of the closing flaps is disclosed by DE 299 59 73.An interspace between the closing flaps that is sealed relative to theimpact chamber thereby assures that dust that is potentially stirred updue to a scrubbing cannot proceed onto the end face regions, and theextraction cross-section for a cleaning gas, protective atmosphereand/or the like together with particles to be removed is made smaller atthe same time, so that the volume stream for the extraction is increasedand a greater extraction power is created.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,152 also discloses an apparatus for couplingtwo containers for bulk goods comprising two pipe sockets as well as asafety device. Each pipe socket comprises a throttle flap seated in anessentially circular seal, whereby one throttle flap can be activelyrotated via a swivel drive and, when seated against the second, passivethrottle flap, entrains the latter. The safety device comprises at leastone pin that is radially movable with reference to the seal and thatdeforms the seal surrounding the throttle flap in the closed throttleflap position such that an opening of the at least one throttle flap isprevented. Moreover, the apparatus can be equipped with a closure devicethat is activated when the two containers are docked, so that a releaseof the pipe sockets from one another during a pouring event is avoided.The safety device and the closure device should thereby besimultaneously activated by an operator via a lever but separately fromthe swivel drive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve anapparatus of the aforementioned type such that the disadvantages of thePrior Art are overcome, particularly such that a structurally simplerand more dependable closing of the closing flaps and/or pipe socketsrelative to one another is present before opening the flow-throughopenings for a refilling event as well as after closing the flow-throughopenings. A cleaning, particularly in the region of the bearing of theclosing flaps, should also be improved.

[0006] This object is achieved by an actuation device via which thesafety device can be driven for changing from the closed position into alocked position wherein the two storage and/or transport units aresealed relative to one another and the two closing flaps and/or the twopipe sockets are firmly joined to one another. Then the swivel devicecan be driven for moving into and subsequently moving out of the openposition and, subsequently, the safety device can be driven for changingfrom the locked position into the closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an apparatus wherein theclosing flaps are in their open position;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 wherein the closing flaps are in their cleaning position;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a closing flap that is employablewith an apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0010]FIG. 4 is a partial view of a connecting ring that is employablein an apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principlesof the invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodimentillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations andfurther modifications in the illustrated device, and/or method, and suchfurther applications of the principles of the invention as illustratedtherein being contemplated as would normally occur now or in the futureto one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0012] In the disclosed system and method, it is thereby preferred thatthe actuation device comprises a gear device with a drive shaft and atleast two output shafts, whereby the two output shafts can be addressedby the drive shaft in alternating fashion.

[0013] The safety device has an active connection with, on the one hand,the first output shaft and, on the other hand, with the two pipesockets. The safety device preferably comprises a connection elementbetween the first pipe socket and the second pipe socket that can beturned around a first axis for locking the two pipe sockets relative toone another or for unlocking them, particularly via at least one bayonetclosure.

[0014] The swivel device has an active connection with, on the one hand,the second output shaft and, on the other hand, with at least one of thetwo closing flaps for turning the closing flaps around a second axis,whereby the swivel device preferably comprises the two semi-axes whereofthe first semi-axis is firmly connected to the first closing flap andthe second semi-axis is firmly connected to the second closing flap.

[0015] It is preferred that the closing flaps are spaced from oneanother, at least in regions, between the closed position and the lockedposition and/or between the open position and the locked position withclosing flaps and/or pipe sockets that are at least partly firmlyconnected to one another in order to limit a cleaning space in acleaning position that is closed both relative to the atmosphere as wellas to the product.

[0016] The connecting element comprises at least one projection or atleast one recess and each projection or each recess of the connectingelement is in firm engagement with a recess or a projection of the firstpipe socket and/or of the second pipe socket in the locked position.Thus each projection or each recess of the connecting element or of thepipe socket or sockets preferably describes or describe an anglerelative to the first axis, at least in regions, in order—by turning theconnecting element around the first axis—to move the closing flaps awayfrom one another, particularly between the open position and the lockedposition or toward one another, particularly between the closed positionand the locked position.

[0017] It can also be advantageously provided that the first closingflap comprises a first end face with at least one depression and/orelevation, the second closing flap comprises a second end facecomplementary with the first end face, and the two end faces lie tightlyagainst one another, at least in the open position. Thus in the cleaningposition, the end faces are preferably sealed relative to one another inthe region of the at least one depression and/or elevation, and thecleaning space is essentially annular.

[0018] The first closing flap comprises at least one first recess at itsside lying opposite the first end face and/or the second closing flapcomprises at least one second recess at its side lying opposite thesecond end face for enlarging the flow-through opening or flow-throughopenings in the open position. The first recess and/or the second recessis or are preferably essentially spherical segment-shaped.

[0019] In the open position, the first closing flap is at leastpartially in engagement with the second pipe socket and/or the secondclosing flap is at least partially in engagement with the first pipesocket.

[0020] The first closing flap and/or the second closing flap comprisesor comprise at least one partially annular projection, preferably twopartially annular projections lying opposite one another, concentricallyarranged relative to the second axis for engagement into at least onepartially annular recess in the first pipe socket and/or in the secondpipe socket.

[0021] Alternatively, the first closing flap and/or the second closingflap comprises or comprise at least one partially annular channel,preferably two partially annular channels lying opposite one another,concentrically arranged relative to the second axis for engagement intoat least one partially annular recess in the first pipe socket and/or inthe second pipe socket.

[0022] It can also be provided that the second axis resides essentiallyperpendicular to the first axis.

[0023] The first closing flap is a component part of a passive valve andthe second closing flap is a component part of an active valve. Thesecond semi-axis is preferably firmly connected to the second outputshaft.

[0024] A cleaning device is provided via which a fluid cleaning agentcan be introduced into and removed from the closed cleaning space in thecleaning position.

[0025] A surprising perception is that, given utilization of a singleactuation device, a safety device and a swiveling device can beaddressed in alternating fashion, i.e. not at the same time, so that,after coupling two containers, pipe sockets of the containers arebrought into a locked position and, thus, are firmly locked to oneanother, so that a parting of the pipe sockets is impossible in thecleaning position. Closing flaps in the pipe sockets insure a tightclosure of the of the pipe sockets, and, by subsequently turning thedrive shaft from 90° to 180°, the closing flaps are opened via theswiveling device in order to enable a refilling event. By turning thedrive shaft back from 180° to 90°, the closing flaps are returned intotheir closed position, and by turning from 90° to 0°, the pipe socketsare in turn separated from one another. In a partially locked conditionof the pipe sockets around the locked position, a region between thepipe sockets and a part of the end faces of the closing flaps, what isreferred to as the impact chamber, is implemented for the first time asa cleaning space closed on all sides and that is sealed relative to theoutside atmosphere as well as relative to the product space. This ispotentially protected against being unintentionally broken open due tothe locking of the pipe sockets, and can be advantageously cleaned bothbefore as well as after a refilling event, even with a cleaning fluid,without risk of contamination, whether of the product to be refilledand/or of the atmosphere.

[0026] As can be derived from FIG. 1, an apparatus 1 comprises a firstpipe socket 10 at a first container (not shown) that, as soon as thefirst container is coupled to a second container (not shown), is seatedin a second, bipartite pipe socket 100, 100′ of the second containerupon interposition of a connecting element or connecting ring 2. Twovalves 20, 120 are in turn seated in the two pipe sockets, 10, 100,100′, whereby the first valve 20 can be passive and the second valve 120can be active, so that only the active valve 120 can be activelyactuated upon utilization of a gear device 300 for opening or closingflow-through openings 200, 200′ from the first container to the secondcontainer.

[0027] In the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, the second pipe socket100, 100′ embraces the connecting ring 2 that in turns attaches thefirst pipe socket 10, so that the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ cannot moverelative to one another. For this purpose, the connecting ring 2 isprovided with two recesses 3 that lie opposite one another and extendalong the inside circumference and into which a respective projection 11of the first pipe socket 10 can engage, whereby each projection 11extends at least partially in curved form along the outsidecircumference of the first pipe socket 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] The first pipe socket 10 also comprises two recesses 12 lyingopposite one another into which the passive valve 20 engages in thelocked position according to FIG. 2. The passive valve 20 in turncomprises a flap 21 having an end face 22 in which a depression 23 isformed and a spherical segment-shaped recess 24 at the side lyingopposite the end face 22. Further, the passive valve 20 is sealedrelative to the first pipe socket 10 by means of a closing flap seal 25and is firmly connected to a first shaft segment comprising a firstsemi-axis 26. Finally, the passive valve 20 also comprises twoprojections 27 for engagement into the recesses 12.

[0029] In an analogous way, the active valve 120 is seated in the secondpipe socket 100 by engagement into two recesses 102 lying opposite oneanother. The active valve 120 in turn comprises a flap 121 with an endface 122, from which a projection 127 is salient, and a sphericalsegment-shaped recess 124 at the side lying opposite the end face 122.The active valve 120 is also sealed relative to the second pipe socket100 upon utilization of a closing flap seal 125. The closing flap 121 ofthe active valve 120 is firmly connected with a second shaft segmentcomprising a second semi-axis 126. Further, projections 127 are offeredfor engagement into the recesses 102 according to FIG. 2 of the activevalve 120. Moreover, a further closing flap seal 129 is provided betweenthe two closing flaps 21, 121 in the region of the depression 23 intowhich the elevation 128 according to FIG. 2 partly engages.

[0030] An alternative active valve 120′ is shown in FIG. 3. The activevalve 120′ thereby comprises a closing flap 121′ with a planar end face122′ and a spherical segment-shaped recess 124′ at its side lyingopposite the end face 122′. Further, the closing flap 121′ is providedwith a semi-axis 126′ at one side, two semicircular projections 127proceeding concentrically to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0031] According to FIG. 2, the gear device 300 comprises a drive shaft301 with a disk 302 and a plug 303 that attaches in alternating fashionat a disk 304 with a recess 305 for driving a first output shaft 306 orat a disk 314 with a recess 315 for driving a second output shaft 316.The first output shaft 306 is also connected to a disk 307 that attachesat the connecting ring 2 for turning the latter, whereas the secondoutput shaft 316 merges into the second semi-axis 126 for actuating theactive valve 120.

[0032] In the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, finally, a cleaningspace 400 closed at all sides is provided between the pipe sockets 10,100 as well as the closing flaps 21, 121.

[0033] The apparatus whose structure has just been described withreference to the Figures works, for example, in the following way.

[0034] First, the first pipe socket 10 together with the passive valve20 is inserted into the second pipe socket 100,100′ as well as theconnecting ring 2 until the first pipe socket 10 comes to lie on thesecond pipe socket 100 in the closed position.

[0035] When the drive shaft 301 is then turned in the direction of thearrow A in FIG. 2, then the plug 303 engages into the recess 305 in thedisk 304 in order to transmit the rotary motion onto the first outputshaft 306. Upon utilization of the disk 307, the first output shaft 306then compels a rotation of the connecting ring 2 in the direction of thearrow B in FIG. 2, so that the projections 11 of the first pipe socket10 engage into the corresponding recesses 3 of the connecting ring,which leads to a locking of the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100; in thefashion of a bayonet closure. Due to the curvature of the projections 11of the first pipe socket 10, a lowering of the first pipe socket 10 onthe second pipe socket 100 simultaneously occurs given the rotation ofthe connecting ring 2 in the direction of the arrow B, so that thecleaning space 400 arises, as shown in FIG. 2, which is sealed off bothfrom the atmosphere as well as from the region between the end faces 22,122 in the cleaning position sealed by the closing flap seal 129. Thecleaning space 400 can then be flooded with a cleaning gas or a cleaningfluid in order to remove residual contaminants before a refilling eventwithout contaminating the sealed end face regions. After the cleaning,the drive shaft 301 is turned farther upon simultaneous, further lockingand further lowering of the first pipe socket 10 relative to the secondpipe socket 100, namely until the end faces 22, 122 of the closing flaps21, 121 lie tightly against one another in the locked position.

[0036] A further rotation of the drive shaft 301 causes the plug 303 todisengage from the recess 305 and engages into the recess 315 of thedisk 314, so that a further rotary motion in the direction of the arrowA is then transmitted onto the second output shaft 316. Given continuedrotation of the drive shaft 301, a turning of the valves 20,120 into theopen position shown in FIG. 1 occurs, whereby the projections 27 at thefirst closing flap 21 simultaneously engage into the recesses 102 of thesecond pipe socket 100 and the projections 127 at the second closingflap 121 simultaneously engage into the recesses 12 of the first pipesocket. This leads to a locking of the valves 20, 120 to the pipesockets 10, 100, 100′ and makes it impossible to part the valves 20, 120from one another in the open position. In the open position, a product(not shown) can flow from the first container into the second containerthrough the flow-through openings 200, 200′ After the end of the productrefilling, the drive shaft 301 can be rotated back into its initialposition, i.e. opposite the rotational sense A in FIG. 2, whereby, viarotation of the second output shaft 316, the closing flaps 21, 121 areagain turned into their respective pipe sockets 10, 100 up into thelocked position for sealing the containers relative to one another. Theplug 303 then again changes from the recess 315 into the recess 305 inorder to turn the connecting ring 2 via the first output shaft 306 andinto the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, wherein a renewed cleaningof the cleaning space 400 is then possible. When the initial position ofthe drive shaft 301 is reached, finally the interlock is cancelled byreleasing the connection between the projections 11 and the recesses 3,so that the two containers can then be separated from one another inturn.

[0037] In summary, it is therefore to be pointed out that the followingstages can be successively run with the apparatus by actuating only thedrive shaft 301:

[0038] 1. Locking the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ relative to one anothergiven simultaneous sealing of the cleaning space 400;

[0039] 2. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400 in the cleaningposition;

[0040] 3. Closing the cleaning space 400 until the locked position isreached;

[0041] 4. Opening the flow-through openings 200, 200′ given simultaneouslocking of the closing flaps 21, 121 to the pipe sockets 10, 100;

[0042] 5. Refilling a product from the first container into the secondcontainer;

[0043] 6. Closing the flow-through openings 200, 200′ whilesimultaneously releasing the lock between the closing flaps 21, 121 andthe pipe sockets 10, 100;

[0044] 7. Opening the cleaning space 400 in the partially lockedcleaning position;

[0045] 8. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400; and

[0046] 9. Complete opening of the cleaning space 400 whilesimultaneously releasing the lock between the pipe sockets 10, 100,100′.

[0047] While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated and describedin detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it beingunderstood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown anddescribed and that all changes and modifications that come within thespirit of the invention both now or in the future are desired to beprotected.

[0048] The invention is directed to an apparatus for coupling twostorage and/or transport means, for instance in the forms of vessels,containers, tubes and/or the like, for the purpose of a transfer of aproduct from a first storage and/or transport means having a firstclosing flap in a first pipe socket at a first end and in an activeconnection with at least one shaft into a second storage and/ortransport means having a second closing flap in a second pipe socket ata second end upon utilization of a swivelling device and a safety devicewith which the closing flaps are movable from a closed position, whereinthe first closing flap tightly closes the first storage and/or transportmeans off from the atmosphere at the first end, the second closing flaptightly closes the second storage and/or transport means off from theatmosphere at the second end and the two closing flaps and/or the twopipe sockets are movable relative to one another, into a lockedposition, wherein the two closing flaps and/or the two pipe sockets arefirmly connected to one another, as well as into an open position withclosing flaps and/or pipe sockets firmly connected to one anotherwherein at least one flow-through opening for the product is open fromthe first storage and/or transport means into the second storage and/ortransport means, and are movable from the open position into the lockedposition as well as into the closed position.

[0049] Such an apparatus is disclosed, for example, by GB Letters Patent888,541.

[0050] Given the known device, the pipe sockets are rotatable relativeto one another, whereby a bayonet closure is locked or unlocked byturning the pipe sockets relative to one another and, at the same time,the closing flaps are forced from the closed position into the openposition or from the open position into the closed position, so that thelocking position coincides with the open position. Such a lock isparticularly disadvantageous in that the closing flaps canunintentionally detach from one another while changing from the closedposition into the open position or vice versa, also due to theemployment of only one bayonet closure. Moreover a cleaning beforeand/or after a product transfer or, respectively, a refilling event inthe open position is not possible in a locked position in order to avoidcontamination of the atmosphere and/or the product to be refilled.

[0051] Further, DE 195 20 409 C1 discloses an apparatus for couplingcontainers to a blower and extraction device that enables a cleaning ofthe closing flaps before and/or after a refilling event to beaccomplished with the apparatus. A seal is thereby utilized that, givena spacing of the closing flaps of, preferably, less than 15 mm,disadvantageously seals the space situated between the closing flaps,i.e. the impact chamber, off from the outside, with the exception of theregions of the bearing shells thereof. A sealing of the impact chamberfrom at least a part of the closing flaps is disclosed by DE 299 59 73.An interspace between the closing flaps that is sealed relative to theimpact chamber thereby assures that dust that is potentially stirred updue to a scrubbing cannot proceed onto said end face regions, and theextraction crossection for a cleaning gas, protective atmosphere and/orthe like together with particles to be removed is made smaller at thesame time, so that the volume stream for the extraction is increased anda greater extraction power is created.

[0052] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve anapparatus of the species such that the disadvantages of the Prior Artare overcome, particularly such that a dependable closing of the closingflaps and/or pipe sockets relative to one another is present beforeopening the flow-through opening(s) for a refilling event as well asafter closing the flow-through opening(s). A cleaning, particularly inthe region of the bearing of the closing flaps, should also be improved.

[0053] This object is inventively achieved by an actuation device viawhich the safety device can be driven for changing from the closedposition into a locked position wherein the two storage and/or transportmeans are sealed relative to one another and the two closing flapsand/or the two pipe sockets are firmly joined to one another, then theswivel device can be driven for moving into and subsequently moving outof the open position and, subsequently, the safety device can be drivenfor changing from the locked position into the closed position.

[0054] It is thereby preferred that the actuation device comprises agear device with a drive shaft and at least two output shafts, wherebythe two output shafts can be addressed [sic] by the drive shaft inalternation.

[0055] Developments of the invention are characterized in that thesafety device has an active connection with, on the one hand, the firstoutput shaft and, on the other hand, with the two pipe sockets, wherebythe safety device preferably comprises a connection element between thefirst pipe socket and the second pipe socket that can be turned around afirst axis for locking the two pipe sockets relative to one another orfor unlocking them, particularly via at least one bayonet closure.

[0056] The invention also proposes that the swivel device has an activeconnection with, on the one hand, the second output shaft and, on theother hand, with at least one of the two closing flaps for turning theclosing flaps around a second axis, whereby the swivel device preferablycomprises the two semi-axes whereof the first semi-axis is firmlyconnected to the first closing flap and the second semi-axis is firmlyconnected to the second closing flap.

[0057] It is inventively preferred that the closing flaps are spacedfrom one another, at least in regions, between the closed position andthe locked position and/or between the open position and the lockedposition with closing flaps and/or pipe sockets that are at least partlyfirmly connected to one another in order to limit a cleaning space in acleaning position that is closed both relative to the atmosphere as wellas to the product.

[0058] The invention also proposes that the connecting element comprisesat least one projection or at least one recess and each projection or,respectively, each recess of the connecting element is in firmengagement with a recess or, respectively, a projection of the firstpipe socket and/or of the second pipe socket in the locked position,whereby each projection or, respectively, each recess of the connectingelement or of the pipe socket or sockets preferably describes or,respectively, describe an angle relative to the first axis, at least inregions, in order—by turning the connecting element around the firstaxis—to move the closing flaps away from one another, particularlybetween the open position and the locked position or, respectively,toward one another, particularly between the closed position and thelocked position.

[0059] It can also be advantageously provided that the first closingflap comprises a first end face with at least one depression and/orelevation, the second closing flap comprises a second end facecomplementary with the first end face, and the two end faces lie tightlyagainst one another, at least in the open position, whereby, in thecleaning position, the end faces are preferably sealed relative to oneanother in the region of the at least one depression and/or elevation,and the cleaning space is essentially annular.

[0060] Developments of the invention are also characterized in that thefirst closing flap comprises at least one first recess at its side lyingopposite the first end face and/or the second closing flap comprises atleast one second recess at its side lying opposite the second end facefor enlarging the flow-through opening or, respectively, flow-throughopenings in the open position, whereby the first recess and/or thesecond recess is or, respectively, are preferably essentially sphericalsegment-shaped.

[0061] It can also preferably be provided that, in the open position,the first closing flap is at least partially in engagement with thesecond pipe socket and/or the second closing flap is at least partiallyin engagement with the first pipe socket.

[0062] It is thereby proposed that the first closing flap and/or thesecond closing flap comprises or, respectively, comprise at least onepartially annular projection, preferably two partially annularprojections lying opposite one another, concentrically relative to thesecond axis for engagement into at least one partially annular recess inthe first pipe socket and/or in the second pipe socket.

[0063] Alternatively, it can also be provided the first closing flapand/or the second closing flap comprises or, respectively, comprise atleast one partially annular channel, preferably two partially annularchannels lying opposite one another, concentrically relative to thesecond axis for engagement into at least one partially annular recess inthe first pipe socket and/or in the second pipe socket.

[0064] It can also be provided that the second axis resides essentiallyperpendicular to the first axis.

[0065] It can also be inventively provided that the first closing flapis a component part of a passive valve and the second closing flap is acomponent part of an active valve, whereby the second semi-axis ispreferably firmly connected to the second output shaft.

[0066] Finally, inventive developments are proposed that arecharacterized by a cleaning device via which a fluid cleaning agent canbe introduced into and removed from the closed cleaning space in thecleaning position.

[0067] The invention is thus based on the surprising perception that,given utilization of a single actuation device, a safety device and aswiveling device can be addressed in alternation, i.e. not at the sametime, so that, after coupling two containers, pipe sockets of thecontainers and brought into a locked position and, thus, are firmlylocked to one another, so that a parting of the pipe sockets isimpossible in the cleaning position, whereas closing flaps in the pipesockets see to a tight closure of the of the pipe sockets, and, bysubsequently turning the drive shaft from 90° to 180°, the closing flapsare opened via the swiveling device in order to enable a refillingevent. By turning the drive shaft back from 180° to 90°, the closingflaps are returned into their closed position, and, by turning from 90°to 0°, the pipe sockets are in turn separated from one another. In apartially locked condition of the pipe sockets around the lockedposition, a region between the pipe sockets and a part of the end facesof the closing flaps, what is referred to as the impact chamber, that isimplemented for the first time as a cleaning space closed on all sidesthat is sealed relative to the outside atmosphere as well as relative tothe product space and that is potentially protected against beingunintentionally broken open due to the locking of the pipe sockets, canbe advantageously inventively cleaned both before as well as after arefilling event, even with a cleaning fluid, without risk ofcontamination, whether of the product to be refilled and/or of theatmosphere.

[0068] Further features and advantages of the invention derive from thefollowing description, wherein exemplary embodiments of the inventionare explained on the basis of schematic drawings. Thereby shown are:

[0069]FIG. 1 a crossectional view through an inventive apparatus whereinthe closing flaps are in their open position;

[0070]FIG. 2 a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1 wherein the closing flaps are in their cleaning position;

[0071]FIG. 3 a perspective view of a closing flap that is employablewith an apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2; and

[0072]FIG. 4 a partial view of a connecting ring that is employable inan apparatus according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0073] As can be derived from FIG. 1, an inventive apparatus 1 comprisesa first pipe socket 10 at a first container (not shown) that, as soon asthe first container is coupled to a second container (not shown), isseated in a second, bipartite pipe socket 100, 100′ of the secondcontainer upon interposition of a connecting element or, respectively,connecting ring 2. Two valves 20, 120 are in turn seated in the two pipesockets, 10, 100, 100′, whereby the first valve 20 can be passive andthe second valve 120 can be active, so that only the active valve 120can be actively actuated upon utilization of a gear device 300 foropening or, respectively, closing flow-through openings 200, 200′ fromthe first container to the second container. In the cleaning positionshown in FIG. 2, the second pipe socket 100, 100′ embraces theconnecting ring 2 that in turns attacks [sic] the first pipe socket 10,so that the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ cannot move relative to oneanother. To this end, the connecting ring 2 is provided with tworecesses 3 that lie opposite one another and extend along the insidecircumference and into which a respective projection 11 of the firstpipe socket 10 can engage, whereby each projection 11 extends at leastpartially is curved form along the outside circumference of the firstpipe socket 10, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0074] The first pipe socket 10 also comprises two recesses 12 lyingopposite one another into which the passive valve 20 engages in thelocked position according to FIG. 2. The passive valve 20 in turncomprises a flap 21 having an end face 22 in which a depression 23 isformed and a spherical segment-shaped recess 24 at the side lyingopposite the end face 22. Further, the passive valve 20 is sealedrelative to the first pipe socket 10 by means of a closing flap seal 25and is firmly connected to a semi-axis 26. Finally, the passive valve 20also comprises two projections 27 for engagement into the recesses 12.

[0075] In an analogous way, the active valve 120 is seated in the secondpipe socket 100 by engagement into two recesses 102 lying opposite oneanother. The active valve 120 in turn comprises a flap 121 with an endface 122, from which a projection 127 is salient, and a sphericalsegment-shaped recess 124 at the side lying opposite the end face 122.The active valve 120 is also sealed relative to the second pipe socket100 upon utilization of a closing flap seal 125. The closing flap 121 ofthe active valve 120 is firmly fashioned [sic] with a second semi-axis126. Further, projections 127 are offered for engagement into therecesses 102 according to FIG. 2 of the active valve 120. Moreover, afurther closing flap seal 129 is provided between the two closing flaps21, 121 in the region of the depression 23 into which the elevation 128according to FIG. 2 partly engages.

[0076] An alternative active valve 120′ is shown in FIG. 3. The activevalve 120′ thereby comprises a closing flap 121′ with a planar end face122′ and a spherical segment-shaped recess 124′ at its side lyingopposite the end face 122′. Further, the closing flap 121′ is providedwith a semi-axis 126′ at one side, two semicircular projections 127proceeding concentrically to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0077] According to FIG. 2, the gear device 300 comprises a drive shaft301 with a disk 302 and a plug 303 that attacks in alternation at a disk304 with a recess 305 for driving a first output shaft 306 or at a disk314 with a recess 315 for driving a second output shaft 316. The firstoutput shaft 306 is also connected to a disk 307 that attacks at theconnecting ring 2 for turning the latter, whereas the second outputshaft 316 merges into the first semi-axis 126 for actuating the activevalve 120.

[0078] In the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2, finally, a cleaningspace 400 closed at all sides is provided between the pipe sockets 10,100 as well as the closing flaps 21, 121.

[0079] The apparatus whose structure has just been described withreference to the Figures works, for example, in the following way.

[0080] First, the first pipe socket 10 together with the passive valve20 is inserted into the second pipe socket 100, 100′ as well as theconnecting ring 2 until the first pipe socket 10 comes to lie on thesecond pipe socket 100 in the closed position.

[0081] When the drive shaft 301 is then turned in the direction of thearrow A in FIG. 2, then the plug 303 engages into the recess 305 in thedisk 304 in order to transmit said rotary motion onto the first outputshaft 306. Upon utilization of the disk 307, the first output shaft 306then compels a rotation of the connecting ring 2 in the direction of thearrow B in FIG. 2, so that the projections 11 of the first pipe socket10 engage into the corresponding recesses 3 of the connecting ring,which leads to a locking of the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100; in thefashion of a bayonet closure. Due to the curvature of the projections 11of the first pipe socket 10, a lowering of the first pipe socket 10 onthe second pipe socket 100 simultaneously occurs given the rotation ofthe connecting ring 2 in the direction of the arrow B, so that thecleaning space 400 arises, this, as shown in FIG. 2, being sealed offboth from the atmosphere as well as from the region between the endfaces 22, 122 in the cleaning position sealed by the closing flap seal129. The cleaning space 400 can then be flooded with a cleaning gas or acleaning fluid in order to remove residual contaminants before arefilling event without contaminating the sealed end face regions. Aftersaid cleaning, the drive shaft 301 is turned farther upon simultaneous,further locking and further lowering of the first pipe socket 10relative to the second pipe socket 100, namely until the end faces 22,122 of the closing flaps 21, 121 lie tightly against one another in thelocked position.

[0082] A further rotation of the drive shaft 301 effects that the plug303 disengages from the recess 305 and engages into the recess 315 ofthe disk 314, so that a further rotary motion in the direction of thearrow A is transmitted then onto the second output shaft 316. Givencontinued rotation of the drive shaft 301, a turning of the valves 20,120 into the open position shown in FIG. 1 occurs, whereby theprojections 27 at the first closing flap 21 simultaneously engage intothe recesses 102 of the second pipe socket 100 and the projections 127at the second closing flap 121 simultaneously engage into the recesses12 of the first pipe socket, which leads to a locking of the valves 20,120 to the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ that makes it impossible to partthe valves 20, 120 from one another in the open position. In the openposition, a product (not shown) can flow from the first container intothe second container through the flow-through openings 200, 200′

[0083] After the end of the product refilling, the drive shaft 301 canbe rotated back into its initial position, i.e. opposite the rotationalsense A in FIG. 2, whereby, via rotation of the second output shaft 316,the closing flaps 21, 121 are again turned into their respective pipesockets 10, 100 up into the locked position for sealing the containersrelative to one another. The plug 303 then again changes from the recess315 into the recess 305 in order to turn the connecting ring 2 via thefirst output shaft 306 and into the cleaning position shown in FIG. 2,wherein a renewed cleaning of the cleaning space 400 is then possible.When the initial position of the drive shaft 301 is reached, finally,the interlock is cancelled by releasing the connection between theprojections 11 and the recesses 3, so that the two containers can thenbe separated from one another in turn.

[0084] In summary, it is therefore to be pointed out that the followingstages can be successively run with the inventive apparatus by actuatingonly the drive shaft 301:

[0085] 1. Locking the pipe sockets 10, 100, 100′ relative to one anothergiven simultaneous sealing of the cleaning space 400;

[0086] 2. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400 in the cleaningposition;

[0087] 3. Closing the cleaning space 400 until the locked position isreached;

[0088] 4. Opening the flow-through openings 200, 200′ given simultaneouslocking of the closing flaps 21, 121 to the pipe sockets 10, 100;

[0089] 5. Refilling a product from the first container into the secondcontainer;

[0090] 6. Closing the flow-through openings 200, 200′ whilesimultaneously releasing the lock between the closing flaps 21, 121 andthe pipe sockets 10, 100;

[0091] 7. Opening the cleaning space 400 in the partially lockedcleaning position;

[0092] 8. Cleaning the sealed cleaning space 400; and

[0093] 9. Complete opening of the cleaning space 400 whilesimultaneously releasing the lock between the pipe sockets 10, 100,100′.

[0094] Both individually as well as in any arbitrary combination, thefeatures of the invention disclosed in the above specification, in theclaims as well as in the drawings can be critical for realizing thevarious embodiments of the invention.

1. Apparatus for coupling two storage and/or transport means, forinstance in the forms of vessels, containers, tubes and/or the like, forthe purpose of a transfer of a product from a first storage and/ortransport means having a first closing flap in a first pipe socket at afirst end and in an active connection with at least one shaft into asecond storage and/or transport means having a second closing flap in asecond pipe socket at a second end upon utilization of a swivellingdevice and a safety device with which the closing flaps are movable froma closed position, wherein the first closing flap tightly closes thefirst storage and/or transport means off from the atmosphere at thefirst end, the second closing flap tightly closes the second storageand/or transport means off from the atmosphere at the second end and thetwo closing flaps and/or the two pipe sockets are movable relative toone another, into a locked position, wherein the two closing flapsand/or the two pipe sockets are firmly connected to one another, as wellas into an open position with closing flaps and/or pipe sockets firmlyconnected to one another wherein at least one flow-through opening forthe product is open from the first storage and/or transport means intothe second storage and/or transport means, and are movable from the openposition into the locked position as well as into the closed position,characterized by an actuation device (300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306,307, 314, 315, 316) via which the safety device (2, 3, 11) can be drivenfor changing from the closed position into a locked position wherein thetwo storage and/or transport means are sealed relative to one anotherand the two closing flaps (21, 121, 121′) and/or the two pipe sockets(10, 100, 100′) are firmly joined to one another, then the swivel device(26, 126, 126′) can be driven for moving into and subsequently movingout of the open position and, subsequently, the safety device (2, 3, 11)can be driven for changing from the locked position into the closedposition.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that theactuation device comprises a gear device (300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305,306, 307, 314, 315, 316) with a drive shaft (301) and at least twooutput shafts (306, 316), whereby the two output shafts (306, 316′) canbe addressed [sic] by the drive shaft (301) in alternation.
 3. Apparatusaccording to claim 2, characterized in that the safety device (2, 3, 11)has an active connection with, on the one hand, the first output shaft(306) and, on the other hand, with the two pipe sockets (10, 100, 100′),whereby the safety device (2, 3, 11) preferably comprises a connectionelement (2) between the first pipe socket (10) and the second pipesocket (100, 100′) that can be turned around a first axis for lockingthe two pipe sockets relative to one another or for unlocking them,particularly via at least one bayonet closure (3, 11).
 4. Apparatusaccording to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the swivel device (26,126, 126′) has an active connection with, on the one hand, the secondoutput shaft (316) forming at least one shaft and, on the other hand,with at least one of the two closing flaps (21, 121, 121′) for turningthe closing flaps (21, 121, 121′) around a second axis, whereby theswivel device preferably comprises the two semi-axes (26, 126, 126′)whereof a first semi-axis (26) is firmly connected to the first closingflap (21) and the second semi-axis (126, 126′) is firmly connected tothe second closing flap (121, 121′)
 5. Apparatus according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the closing flaps (21, 121,121′) can be spaced from one another, at least in regions, between theclosed position and the locked position and/or between the open positionand the locked position with closing flaps (21, 121, 121′) and/or pipesockets (10, 100, 100′) that are at least partly firmly connected to oneanother in order to limit a cleaning space (400) in a cleaning positionthat is closed both relative to the atmosphere as well as to theproduct.
 6. Apparatus according to one of the claims 3 through 5,characterized in that the connecting element (2) comprises at least oneprojection or at least one recess (3) and each projection or,respectively, each recess (3) of the connecting element (2) is in firmengagement with a recess or, respectively, a projection (11) of thefirst pipe socket (10) and/or of the second pipe socket in the lockedposition, whereby each projection (11) or, respectively, each recess ofthe connecting element (2) or of the pipe socket or sockets preferablydescribes or, respectively, describe an angle relative to the firstaxis, at least in regions, in order—by turning the connecting element(2) around the first axis—to move the closing flaps (21, 121, 121′) awayfrom one another, particularly between the open position and the lockedposition or, respectively, toward one another, particularly between theclosed position and the locked position.
 7. Apparatus according to oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the first closing flap(21) comprises a first end face (22) with at least one depression (23)and/or elevation, the second closing flap (121) comprises a second endface (122) complementary with the first end face (22), and the two endfaces (22, 122) lie tightly against one another, at least in the openposition, whereby, in the cleaning position, the end faces (22, 122′)are preferably sealed relative to one another in the region of the atleast one depression (23) and/or elevation, and the cleaning space (400)is essentially annular.
 8. Apparatus according to one of the precedingclaims, characterized in that the first closing flap (21) comprises atleast one first recess (24) at its side lying opposite the first endface (22) and/or the second closing flap (121, 121′) comprises at leastone second recess (124, 124′) at its side lying opposite the second endface (122, 122′) for enlarging the flow-through opening or,respectively, flow-through openings (200, 200′) in the open position,whereby the first recess (24) and/or the second recess (124, 124′) isor, respectively, are essentially spherical segment-shaped.
 9. Apparatusaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in theopen position, the first closing flap (21) is at least partially inengagement with the second pipe socket (100) and/or the second closingflap (121, 121 ′) is at least partially in engagement with the firstpipe socket (10).
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized inthat the first closing flap (21) and/or the second closing flap (121,121′) comprises or, respectively, comprise at least one partiallyannular projection (27, 127, 127′), preferably two partially annularprojections lying opposite one another, concentrically relative to thesecond axis for engagement into at least one partially annular recess(12, 102) in the first pipe socket (10) and/or in the second pipe socket(100).
 11. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that thefirst closing flap and/or the second closing flap comprises or,respectively, comprise at least one partially annular channel,preferably two partially annular channels lying opposite one another,concentrically relative to the second axis for engagement into at leastone partially annular recess in the first pipe socket and/or in thesecond pipe socket.
 12. Apparatus according to one of the claims 4through 11, characterized in that the second axis resides essentiallyperpendicular to the first axis.
 13. Apparatus according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the first closing flap (21) is acomponent part of a passive valve (20) and the second closing flap (121,121′) is a component part of an active valve (120), whereby the secondsemi-axis (126) is preferably firmly connected to the second outputshaft (316).
 14. Apparatus according to one of the claims 5 through 13,characterized by a cleaning device via which a fluid cleaning agent canbe introduced into and removed from the closed cleaning space in thecleaning position.